Five days passed quickly & yesterday morning it was time to say good bye to our hosts at Ruby Bay Vineyard. I did not think there was a prettier view to be found after sitting in the vineyard. New Zealand is full of surprises. As we left the wine country & headed to the wild west, our view started changing within the hour.
This journey was filled with hair pin curves, rugged terrain & craggy rocks jutting out at all angles from mountainsides. The ever present broom is still in full bloom. The greens are very lush but lots of pine, some palms and lower brush plants.
About three hours into our trip, we stopped at Cape Foulwind. Said to have been found by Captain Cook & so named for the terrible weather. Bob wondered if Captain Cook had franchised himself.....he surely couldn't have been all the places he claims.
Not ready for lunch, but instructed that we could not miss the Bay House Cafe, we drove up the road for a snack. The view was, again breathtaking - the ocean waves crashing in the distance. It lured us down after lunch for a walk on the rocks. There was a path across some rocks, out overlooking the water. Spectacular waves crashing on the rocks, sun shining, wind virtually stopped. Could have stayed all afternoon just watching the water change colors.
Down the road was a seal colony. Another short walk to a viewing area. Seals all over these rocks. Amazing to watch them running, jumping, playing. Stood transfixed for several minutes, took the obligatory pictures & then made our way back down the path.
Continuing south down more winding roads, hair pin curves and one lane bridges (on stat
e highways!). We stopped several more times for the breathtaking views. The coastline is spectacular. The rocks coming out of the water, the depth of the ocean seemed to go forever. Just gorgeous.
e highways!). We stopped several more times for the breathtaking views. The coastline is spectacular. The rocks coming out of the water, the depth of the ocean seemed to go forever. Just gorgeous. One of my favorite signs yesterday was a picture of a penguin on a road sign indicating 'penguin crossing'.... not one you see often on Keller Parkway.
We stopped in Punakaiki to see the 'famous' Pancake Rocks. Another twenty minute walk d
own the pathways. These rocks are literally stacked like pancakes, formed this way over thousands of years. The water rushes in and out. I thought I heard thunder in the background - it was the rush of water. There are blow holes in this area that we did not see in action. The view of the water rushing up from the rocks & crashing against them was incredible.
own the pathways. These rocks are literally stacked like pancakes, formed this way over thousands of years. The water rushes in and out. I thought I heard thunder in the background - it was the rush of water. There are blow holes in this area that we did not see in action. The view of the water rushing up from the rocks & crashing against them was incredible. Onward toward Greymouth where we thought we'd be smart & find a place to stop for dinner. This was the 'big city' compared to our stop for the night, just north of Hokitika. Dinner proved to me once again that I don't like lamb! We didn't eat much but it was dinner.
On to our home for the next two nights....we are across the street from the beach, 
on a hillside with yet another spectacular view. As I look at the window, the waves are rolling onto the beach on this cloudy morning. The sun is trying to come out. There is gorgeous green all around me. The grounds here include an outdoor fireplace built of river rock and a common dining area for all guests with a fireplace. When we arrived, other guests were preparing for dinner...and, our hosts asked if we would like dinner. Thought we'd been smart eating earlier. Wrong again! We joined the other guests (Three of them we recognized from earlier in the day at the Bay House Cafe!) while they ate. Two of the people are from Israel. They are here with their guide who lives in NZ but originally from Poland. The other two guests are from the UK. One living in South Africa. Lots to talk about. We enjoyed the dinner conversation that spanned everything from travel to a brief touch on politics and life in our own countries. Interesting perspectives from everyone.
on a hillside with yet another spectacular view. As I look at the window, the waves are rolling onto the beach on this cloudy morning. The sun is trying to come out. There is gorgeous green all around me. The grounds here include an outdoor fireplace built of river rock and a common dining area for all guests with a fireplace. When we arrived, other guests were preparing for dinner...and, our hosts asked if we would like dinner. Thought we'd been smart eating earlier. Wrong again! We joined the other guests (Three of them we recognized from earlier in the day at the Bay House Cafe!) while they ate. Two of the people are from Israel. They are here with their guide who lives in NZ but originally from Poland. The other two guests are from the UK. One living in South Africa. Lots to talk about. We enjoyed the dinner conversation that spanned everything from travel to a brief touch on politics and life in our own countries. Interesting perspectives from everyone.Headed to Arthur's Pass this morning....up into the alps. Yet again a new kind of scenery to enjoy.
Random thoughts -
Have I mentioned the flowers of NZ? Well, OK, I have. But, did I mention the poppies? They are just gorgeous. All colors, billowing in the wind, so pretty.
There is a saying here that we've heard once or twice & seen across vans 'Wicked'. Guess it means cool???
Did you know that a commercial apple tree (Braeburns where we were in Nelson) can yield 800-1000 apples PER season? WOW!
Tuis seem to be the sparrow of NZ. Every town has an obligatory Tui cafe, bar or grill.
Kiwi is a fruit, a person and a bird....which came first?
No comments:
Post a Comment